From Momsrising.org: How cool would it be for Fair Pay to be one of the first things that that President-Elect Obama signs into law? It could actually happen!

We just heard that the House is set to vote on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act this week, and the Senate could vote as early as next week! Turns out that while the economic security package is tied up in negotiations, there is a rare window of unscheduled open time to pass long-needed bills. Congress is thinking action…and thanks to the incredible advocacy of MomsRising …read more

I turned 35 on Saturday.

We had a California picnic at the lake.

My husband got me this fabulous Momsrising.org T-shirt.

Of course, what I want for my birthday is equal pay, family leave insurance, and gender equality. It’s not just a t-shirt. It’s political action.

He gets me.

When I was a teenager I thought I’d be stupid and boring and washed up and not care about my looks or health at 35.

Instead at 35, I find myself engaged in life, pro-active about my health, excited about my work and more willing to let go of all my hang-ups with every passing day.

Oprah …read more

McCain helped defeat the Fair Pay Act this week – which concerns your pay check and that guy in the cube next to you.

If you have the same education and training as the guy next to you, you’re making less money. Here’s a statistical fact: If you’re a childless woman you make 73 cents to his dollar. If you’re a mother you make only 60 cents to his dollar.

The Fair Pay Act would have allowed you to sue your company for discrimination for this inequality.

McCain says he doesn’t think our lack of pay equity this is “fair.” But he also …read more

There is an article in the Wall Street Journal by Sue Shellenbarger about Pregnancy Discrimination explaining that claims are up and pregnant women are shocked to learn they have very few rights.
“Pregnancy-bias complaints recorded by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission surged 14% last year to 5,587, up 40% from a decade ago and the biggest annual increase in 13 years.

The agency also received 20,400 pregnancy-bias inquiries at its call center last year, the center’s first full year of operation; that doesn’t include thousands more walk-ins asking about the same topic at fair-employment offices.

“I thought we were protected,” said …read more

Thank God (and Bill Clinton) for the Family Medical Leave Act, because prior to the 1990 we got no maternity leave or time off to to have babies or care for the sick – we just lost our jobs.I’m one American that thinks we can do better. Not only for ourselves, but so our daughters do not have to face the same sucky choices when it’s their turn to bear children and their responsibility to care for the sick or dying.There have currently been 3,600 comments by MomsRising members in support of the FMLA. Please add your comments.The FMLA effects …read more

 According to MomsRising, Today, the U.S. is one of only four countries that doesn’t have paid leave for new mothers. The others are Papua New Guinea, Swaziland and Liberia. We also lag behind in paid sick days and flexible work options so we can participate in our children’s schools and be at home before and after school hours.    
A full three-quarters of mothers are in the workforce, yet mothers are 79% less likely to be hired than non-mothers with equal resumes and job experiences. Single mothers make just 60 cents to a man’s dollar. 
Please donate today to make the MomsVote …read more